numbers need no article — room 25, page 53 (GiU Unit 73)
The frame
Section titled “The frame”Can you tell me where room 25 is, please? ✓ (✗ a room 25 / ✗ the room 25)
Numbered labels take no article
Section titled “Numbered labels take no article”| pattern | example |
|---|---|
| room + number | room 25, room 302 |
| question/exercise + number | question 3 (✗ the question 3) · exercise 5 |
| gate / platform | gate 12, platform 3 |
| page / chapter / line | page 53, chapter 5, line 8 |
| bus / train / flight | bus 24, flight BA123 (also the 24 bus when the number comes first) |
| avenue/street numbers | 42nd Street (no the) |
| hotel room, seat | seat 14C |
The number is the identifier — like a proper name. Another article would double-mark definiteness.
When the appears
Section titled “When the appears”the = pinned by shared knowledge, not by a number:
- the room on the left (described, not numbered)
- the room we booked (relative clause identifies)
- the room (both speakers already know which)
| no the | the |
|---|---|
| room 25 | the room on the corner |
| page 53 | the page I showed you |
Note on bus/train
Section titled “Note on bus/train”BrE allows both orders: bus 24 (postfix) and the 24 bus (prefix, article needed because the number is now a modifier). Same rule as Room 25 vs the 25th room.
Source
Section titled “Source”Raymond Murphy, English Grammar in Use, Unit 73 — the 1. Ebot lesson 2026-09-05.